Better Than Here with Chris Boros

Well - where do we start? I was searching for a song to cover a little while back and discovered Chris's Better Than Here. Give it a listen - it's cool - his latest is even better.
When I hadn't heard back from him regarding my request to cover it - though I had already started - I deemed it only proper to abort and restructure the tracks minus vocals into what I last posted as Oh Moody Night.
Then of course Chris caught up with me and granted my request which resulted in what you're listening to here - which is a reconstruction of and at the same time further deviation from the original arrangement I started a little while back. I took the liberty of messing around with Chris's tune and I sure hope he approves.
BTW - there's nothing wrong with your phones or speakers - those drums are shredded.

Thanks Chris.

This not an official covers challenge entry - that comes later - January12th I believe.

When I look up to the stars I see myself.
When I look into your eyes I see somebody else
When I look up to the stars I know my name.
When I look into your eyes I feel the bloody pain.
When I look up to the stars it seems so clear.
When I look into your eyes I want to run in fear.

Yes I do, my dear. We're flying for some time.
Then we glide upon. Inside a broken mind.
But now there is hope and there are dreams
When we wake in the prime.

now for the actual listen ....
what a funny story of how you finally got to do this - and we got a whole extra upload from you because you guys didn't connect for awhile (really loved "oh moody night!!"). i don't feel like i've heard you sing much, or if i have, not where i can hear your vocals so clearly maybe - all that to say - cool vocals kevin!! your sound environment here is extremely magnetic - addictive might be a better word - you always have creative sounds and wildly imaginative ideas and this is no exception. i especially like your percussion work in here (shredded?)! Chris will love this! happy holidays my friend - so glad to know you!

Thanks for all the kind words Karen
this was a really interesting project. Started as a pretty faithful cover that went off track - then came back as something else. I was worried the drums were too loud.

SO COOL!!!
Never in my wildest dreams would I ever think someone would cover a song I wrote. This is mind blowing to me. This made my week. Thanks so much for doing this. Amazing work too. Love the production. I need me some drums.

Better than here
Good lyrics. Cool atmosphere. Love when that second verse comes in. Well done all around. Love the vocals and the ethereal backing is really good. I would perhaps cut the bass down a bit from 150-300 hz to bring out those really nice ethereal sounds.

Now
This brings me back I like the cure sounding leads, Im with you if the ufos come I thumbing a ride. I just hope they don't fatten me up for dinner, I like the shredded drums is it a Vst your using anyway excellent song! downloaded and a big thanks to all involved!

Better than here
Nice one! Definitely worth the headache of stop/start. A really rich lush atmosphere on this. Very washy and warm. I like the lo-fi drums a lot. Really great work on the reverbs. I know that wasn't easy. Some great spacial relationships. The bass is deep and solid w/o too much high end, leaving all that EQ realestate for the guitars and synths. Dig it.
RR

Thanks for the reverb kudos
it is difficult getting the right amount of wash and space that still retains detail. Like I said - been listening to Spiritualized and Spacemen 3 lately - also The XX - for a whole other feel I have to try.

I till have the official cover challenge entry
coming in January. This was just busting in out in different ways so here it is. Nice of you to drop by. I had a pleasant time in Austin and Waco recently shooting a short film.

Catching this....
...just before work....Sounds really neat, Kevin (and Chris).... One of those lyrics that suggests more and beyond what it actually says, and the music supports that vibe...The sounds in the mix are awesome....

Glad you listened to Chris's version
I was really taken by it and saw the potential for a fun remake. That synth sound is my secret weapon. The Spectral Dronemaker plug in. It's actually a mix of the song run through the effect.

Arf Arf....I had
to do a double take when I first saw this title I misread it as "Better Here Than With Chris Boros".....and thought wow that's a bit pwersonal,perhaps the dude pissed Bud off.Then I read it properly,oops......Nice bit of work on this one.

Excellent tune bud. I'm amazed at how full the sound is. You really have a full range of textures and sounds. Love the little sparkling chirping echoing bell sound at 1:08 and the shredded drums. The reverse sounds and the swirling atmospheric stuff is really wonderful. You have the most original fluid and dreamy ideas.

Vocals are great too, but I've always been a fan of your singing way before you had singing lessons.... waitaminit... nevermind.

Cool grooves
You managed to use a number of different drum feels in this and still manage to make it cohesive. Maybe it's the EQ, or the "shredding" (your word), but it works. I like the bit that you use on the choruses ("There’s something out there ...").

Usually when I hear a piece with a bunch of drum feels that are different (played on different kits or in different rooms or whatever), I feel like I'm descending into loopland - not one of my favorite places.

I have yet to hear the original, but I dig the broad stereo field you created here. The guitars are thick with reverb and chorus and remind me a lot of the English rock of the mid-80s (a good thing). I also dig the slow-release ending.

Wow - thanks for the detailed critique
glad you could get into the drums - I was not so sure about trying the strange approach - but I went for it anyway. I have to get a new setup for building tracks. I actually have a kit here - but I'm a lousy drummer.

Intense
This song has a desolate, yearning undertone that sets a definite mood--a mood I really like in a tune. This manages to pull off something pretty difficult to do, I think: It is understated and subtle, but INTENSE at the same time! The shredded drums are an awesome touch.

Haunting
This is really well done - dark, haunting, and very memorable. The shredding effect on the drums contributes a lot to setting this mood, as does your voice, with its emotionally-detached feeling. I love all the sound effects and the trippy feel. Very creatively done!

How do you find time to work?
I wouldnt mind you being so prolific if your tracks weren't so damn good.
Great mix, cool vocal (that is you, isnt it??)
All this and a dad too... you must be THE coolest dad ever!
Great mood, cool groove, sterling work.

Born in Philly and living in Brooklyn, NY. My home studio work predates digital and my gigging experience was mostly in the early eighties. Currently playing in a four piece around town with some guys that are way out of my league. They have real ski... [see more]

Psychedelic music is a musical genre inspired by or attempting to replicate the mind-altering experience of drugs such as cannabis, psilocybin, mescaline, and especially LSD. It is not rigorously defined, and is sometimes interpreted to include every